Boukary Drame says Senegal-Morocco final saga damages African football’s image

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) held a hearing on Thursday to consider the outcome of the latest Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, with a ruling expected in the coming days.

No specific date has been given for the decision, which will determine whether Senegal’s initial 1-0 victory stands or whether the trophy remains with Morocco after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded it to the Atlas Lions.

The dispute has followed a final that Senegal originally won on the pitch after 120 minutes of football. The CAF decision has instead opened the possibility of Morocco being recognised as African champions through an administrative ruling rather than the result of the match itself.

Former Senegal international Boukary Drame, who also played for Paris St-Germain, said the episode had damaged the standing of the continent’s game.

“People are getting the image of a continent that is not serious,” Drame told Africafoot in an exclusive interview.

His comments came after the CAS hearing, where the Moroccan representatives left without making a statement. Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, secretary general of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), said Senegal had presented its case effectively.

The hearing was held to examine the dispute surrounding the final, which had initially ended with Senegal celebrating a 1-0 win. CAF later transferred the victory to Morocco, creating an unprecedented situation in African football.

Drame expressed his bitterness over a controversy he believes brings little credit to the sport across the continent. He underlined the contrast between Senegal’s result over the full 120 minutes and the prospect of Morocco being declared champions away from the field.

No African team has previously won a final by that route. The Senegal-Morocco contest is particularly unusual because it was played through to its conclusion rather than abandoned or decided before the final whistle.

The case has also raised questions over the influence surrounding CAF. According to the argument described by Drame, Morocco is seeking to use its influence within the organisation to secure a trophy that Senegal had been protecting in Dakar.

The CAS ruling could therefore have consequences beyond the identity of the next Africa Cup of Nations winners. It may establish how similar disputes are handled in future, with the decision potentially setting a precedent for African football.

For now, the legal process remains unresolved. Senegal’s on-field 1-0 success has been challenged by CAF’s subsequent decision, while the Moroccan side has yet to comment publicly on Thursday’s hearing. The CAS is expected to announce its verdict in the next few days, although the tribunal has not confirmed when.